Evaluation Flashcards

A company evaluates its employee training program by measuring productivity one week after training. What is the main limitation of this evaluation design?

Answer: One week is too short to observe lasting effects

Measuring outcomes only one week after training may not capture whether the training produced durable, long-term improvements in productivity.

Which scenario best illustrates a false dilemma fallacy that a critical thinker must evaluate?

Answer: 'Either you support this bill or you hate freedom.'

A false dilemma presents only two options when more exist; framing opposition as 'hating freedom' ignores the many other positions one could hold.

When evaluating the credibility of a witness's testimony, which factor is LEAST relevant?

Answer: Whether the witness is well-dressed and articulate

Appearance and articulateness are irrelevant to factual credibility; what matters is opportunity, expertise, and potential bias.

An argument concludes that a diet supplement is safe because it contains 'all-natural ingredients.' What evaluative error does this reflect?

Answer: Appeal to nature fallacy

The appeal to nature fallacy incorrectly assumes that natural substances are inherently safe, ignoring that many natural compounds can be harmful.

A poll reports that 70% of respondents support a new tax policy. Before accepting this as evidence of broad public support, a critical thinker should first ask:

Answer: Who was surveyed and how were they selected?

Poll results are only meaningful if the sample was representative; a biased or self-selected sample can skew results dramatically.

Which of the following best describes a 'straw man' fallacy that must be evaluated critically?

Answer: Misrepresenting an opponent's argument in a weaker form in order to refute it

A straw man fallacy involves distorting or exaggerating an opponent's position so it becomes easier to attack rather than engaging with the real argument.

To evaluate whether an argument contains circular reasoning, a critical thinker should check whether:

Answer: The conclusion is used as a premise to support itself

Circular reasoning (begging the question) occurs when the conclusion is assumed within the premises rather than established by them.